Antique Indian Polychrome Carved Dowry Box with Peacocks, c.1900

A wonderfully characterful antique Indian dowry box, richly carved and decorated in vibrant polychrome, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century.

Acquired as a dowry chest, this smaller casket-sized example would have been suited to storing jewellery, personal possessions, textiles or other valued objects associated with marriage and the household.

The substantial hardwood box is carved in deep relief throughout. Against a predominantly black ground are scrolling flowers, foliage and striking animal and bird motifs picked out in red, green, ochre, brown and gilt tones.

The hinged lid is particularly sculptural, with a pair of large stylised birds, likely peacocks, facing downwards amongst carved scrollwork. Additional bird decoration appears to the end, while the two long sides are centred respectively by a bird surrounded by foliage and a wonderfully naïve boar-like animal flanked by large floral roundels.

The carving has an appealing folk quality, with strong three-dimensional modelling and considerable variation from one side to another. Decades of rubbing, chipping and paint loss have exposed areas of the timber beneath, creating a beautifully aged and layered surface.

The interior is painted in a muted mauve-pink tone, which appears to be a later decorative treatment. The original external decoration has deliberately been left untouched, preserving the extensive patina and imperfections that give the piece its distinctive presence.

At 48 cm wide, it is a particularly decorative size: substantial enough to make an impact on a console, sideboard or large table, while remaining practical as a storage box.

Good Original Condition

There is considerable rubbing, chipping and loss to the painted and polychrome surfaces, particularly around projecting carved elements, edges and corners. Areas of the underlying wood are exposed.

There are historic splits, cracks, knocks and small losses to the carving, together with old repairs and general movement consistent with the age and construction of the piece. The end panels show visible cracking and wear.

The metal hinges show oxidation and age and may have been repaired or replaced historically.

The mauve-pink interior appears to have been repainted at some point and shows associated wear, marks, scratches and losses.

All wear has been retained as part of the object's history and decorative character. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

- Antique Indian carved wooden dowry box / marriage casket
- Late 19th to early 20th century
- Acquired as a traditional dowry chest
- Deeply carved hardwood construction
- Extensive original-style polychrome decoration
- Black ground with red, green, ochre, brown and gilt tones
- Sculptural pair of stylised peacocks or birds to the lid
- Further carved bird and animal motifs
- Large floral roundels and scrolling foliage
- Hinged lid
- Painted mauve-pink interior
- Particularly attractive untouched, timeworn surface
- Highly decorative folk-art character
- One-of-a-kind antique piece

A striking decorative object for an interior combining antique and contemporary pieces. Style it on a warm oak console, sideboard or stone-topped table where the colourful carving can be appreciated from several angles.

Its worn black ground and earthy polychrome work especially well alongside natural stone, limewashed walls, aged timber, neutral linen and simple ceramics. The box could also be displayed open to reveal the contrasting painted interior.

Particularly suited to eclectic, rustic, folk-art-inspired and collected interiors.